Oracle welcomes back big birds this Saturday

Hot food, live music and sharp plants are part of Oracle's first
"Welcome Back Turkey Vulture Festival," to be held this Saturday,
May 9, at the Village Square in Oracle.

It's sponsored by the Oracle Land Trust and the Darimont family.
The festival's intent falls within the charter of the Oracle Land
Trust, whose mission is "to promote conservation of the resources,
beauty, and rural character of land in the Oracle area for the
continuing benefit of the community," a release said.

The festival gives residents a chance to support local business
and non-profit organizations, and to "bond with their neighbors
during this challenging time in our nation's economic history," the
release said.

The Green Javelina and the Winding Rose have moved their
storefronts to Village Square. The Darimonts hope a refurbished
Village Square "will serve as a useful focal point for everyday
commerce and communal spirit." They want the Welcome Back Turkey
Vulture Festival to become "an annual event to usher in the change
of seasons."

Among the local entertainers are Cora Lee & Phillip, and
Fred "The Singing Bee Keeper" Terry. Hot food is served by The
Oracle Inn. Educational booths including Biosphere 2, Big Green
(sustainable concepts made real), Green Oracle (neighbors helping
each other learn about waste reduction), and the Center For
Sustainable Prosperity.

A large plant sale features exotic cacti and indigenous plants
($5-$20), and there are talks on the care and feeding of these
plants in a garden setting.

There is a car wash run by the Sierra Oaks Charter School, park
rangers will be on hand from the Oracle State Park, and baked goods
are provided by the local 4-H chapter.

Also in attendance will be local author and longtime Oracle
resident Ann Woodin, selling and signing her well-known book, "Home
is the Desert." A youth photography contest is being judged by
Triangle L ranch owner Sharon Holnback, with prizes for winning
entries. Activities and many crafts are also on display.

For information including booth space rental, and how to
participate, call Maggie Miller at 520-603-9077.